PATRIOTS, COWBOYS AND QUARTERBACKS HIGHLIGHT THIS WEEK’S “INSIDE THE NFL”

Premieres Tonight, Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME®

To Watch Arizona Head Coach Bruce Arians on Sunday Reacting

To The Reversed Touchdown Against San Francisco

NEW YORK (Oct. 3, 2017) — This week’s installment of Sports Emmy® Award-winning studio show “INSIDE THE NFL” premieres tonight, Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME. Host James Brown is joined by expert analysts Phil Simms, Boomer Esiason and former veteran NFL linebacker Ray Lewis in-studio to discuss the ups and downs of NFL Week 4.

Tonight’s episode is highlighted by discussions about the struggles of the New England Patriots defense and the Dallas Cowboys offense, as well as talk of whether or not it’s time for some teams including the N.Y. Giants, L.A. Chargers and Baltimore Ravers to move on from their current franchise quarterbacks.

INSIDE THE NFL covers every game, every week, with trademark highlights from NFL Films, special in-depth features and spirited debate on the hottest topics in the NFL. The show is produced by CBS Sports and NFL Films and airs every Tuesday during the NFL season through Feb. 6, 2018.

The show is produced by CBS Sports and NFL Films. The executive producers are Sean McManus, Chairman, CBS Sports and Ross Ketover and Pat Kelleher of NFL Films. Pete Radovich Jr., the Emmy Award-winning Creative Director for CBS Sports, serves as coordinating producer.

On whether or not it’s time for some teams to move on from their current quarterbacks…

Boomer Esiason – “I do believe that three of these quarterbacks on this list [Joe Flacco, Eli Manning, Philip Rivers, Drew Brees and Carson Palmer] will not be with their team next year… I would say Drew Brees, Carson Palmer and Philip Rivers will not be on their teams next year. That’s what I believe.”

Phil Simms -“We are in a new age. And what’s the age? It’s where the quarterback is paid so much money you can’t fire him… They call them the face of the franchise because they are… You can’t put Eli Manning in the same category sometimes because he’s won two championships. In the last two weeks, it looks like they’ve kind of figured out what they’re going to do on the offensive side. So he has more give than any of these guys, in my estimation, because of the fact he has two MVP’s in the Super Bowl.”

On New England’s defense…

Boomer Esiason -“They [New England] are missing a spark on that defense. In past years, whether it be [Rob] Ninkovich or [Mike] Vrabel or Patrick Chung coming up with the big play or Devin McCourty coming up with the big play, they’re not getting that right now for their defense.”

On the mobility of quarterbacks…

Ray Lewis – “You think about Drew Brees, Cam Newton, Alex Smith, Deshaun Watson. Those guys get out of the pocket. They make things happen outside of the pocket. They [New England] don’t have that spark.”

Phil Simms – “They thought they had two shutdown corners [Patriots cornerbacks Malcolm Butler and Stephon Gilmore]. So when you have two corners like that, you think ‘Well, we got those two. We can put the rest in a certain position to give us a chance for great success.’ That has not happened. They have blown assignments. When I say blown an assignment, I mean guys that are running down the field uncovered and it has cost them two games [Carolina and Kansas City]… They never did that before.”

On parity around the league…

Ray Lewis – “Home teams aren’t safe at home any more. I’m looking at the Minnesota Vikings lose at home. I’m looking at the New England Patriots lose at home. The Atlanta Falcons lose at home. The Baltimore Ravens lose at home. The Dallas Cowboys lose at home … [It’s all about] matchups… It’s certain teams that you run into that you don’t normally play [and] you don’t know how to prepare for them.”

Phil Simms – “From the top to the bottom, it’s a fine line. It really is. From one to 32, I’ve never seen it this close.”

RAY LEWIS DELIVERS PERSONAL, IMPASSIONED RESPONSE TO ACTIONS DURING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM ON THIS WEEK’S “INSIDE THE NFL”

Premieres Tonight, Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME®

Photo credit: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME®

NEW YORK (Sept. 26, 2017) — SHOWTIME Sports® continues the 10th season of the Sports Emmy® Award-winning studio show “INSIDE THE NFL” tonight, Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME. Host James Brown is joined by expert analysts Phil Simms, Boomer Esiason and former veteran NFL linebacker Ray Lewis in-studio to discuss the biggest issues in the NFL, including the various forms of protest that have dominated the headlines.

For the first time, Ray Lewis offers an impassioned and personal message regarding his actions when he dropped to two knees during the playing of the national anthem prior to Sunday’s Ravens vs. Jaguars game in London.

INSIDE THE NFL covers every game, every week, with trademark highlights from NFL Films, special in-depth features and spirited debate on the hottest topics in the NFL. The show is produced by CBS Sports and NFL Films and airs every Tuesday during the NFL season through Feb. 6, 2018.

The show is produced by CBS Sports and NFL Films. The executive producers are Sean McManus, Chairman, CBS Sports and Ross Ketover and Pat Kelleher of NFL Films. Pete Radovich Jr., the Emmy Award-winning Creative Director for CBS Sports, serves as coordinating producer.

BENGALS’ ADAM JONES SUSPENDED WITHOUT PAY FOR ONE GAME FOR VIOLATING NFL’S PERSONAL CONDUCT POLICY

The NFL today notified Adam Jones of the Cincinnati Bengals that he will be suspended without pay for the first 2017 regular season game for violating the league’s Personal Conduct Policy.

In May, Jones entered a plea of guilty to obstruction of official business stemming from a January 2017 incident. The state court imposed a sentence of time served (two days’ confinement) and court fees.

The NFL explained in a letter to Jones that it considered the “extensive video documentation of the tone, tenor and nature of your interactions with law enforcement at the site of your arrest, during transportation to the jail, and during the booking process. As you acknowledged, your post-arrest words and actions reflected poorly on you and your family, the Cincinnati Bengals football club, and the NFL. While it is our understanding that appropriate apologies have been publicly extended, they do not completely negate your behavior and admission of culpability for the underlying conduct.”

Jones will be eligible to return to the team’s active roster on Monday, September 11 following the Bengals’ September 10 game against the Baltimore Ravens. Jones is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games.

NFL AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN’S ROSS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS TO HOST WEBINAR FOR 63 CURRENT AND FORMER PLAYERS

Webinar to serve as introduction for NFL Business Academy

NFL Player Engagement has partnered with the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business to co-host a webinar on July 18 for active NFL players and Legends. Spouses and significant others are also invited to participate as part of Player Engagement’s commitment to involve players’ families in the professional development and career transition process.

This year’s webinar will serve as the introduction for the third NFL Business Academy, which takes place on March 4-8, 2018. The University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, named for Miami Dolphins Owner STEPHEN M. ROSS, and the league hosted the second annual NFL Business Academy in February for 32 current and former players. During the week, participants heard from Ross faculty, successful business leaders and NFL veterans who have transitioned to careers in the corporate world.

“We are excited to offer the Business Webinar and expand upon our initiatives with the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business”, said ARTHUR MCAFEE, Senior Vice President of NFL Player Engagement. “Through this program, players will be provided with a foundation of business practices and knowledge that can aid in establishing a successful post-playing career.”

Led by University of Michigan Professor Len Middleton, the 60-minute webinar will provide an overview on finding and evaluating potential business ideas and how to start the business planning process.

“We are excited to further this partnership with the NFL Player Engagement team, especially because this webinar series extends the learning and enhances the players’ ability to apply it successfully” said MELANIE WEAVER BARNETT, Chief Executive Education Officer at Michigan Ross. “This portion of the Boot Camp Series provides the players and their significant others with a suite of opportunities covering what it takes to start and sustain entrepreneurial ventures. With this webinar, they will receive firsthand knowledge regarding the process of planning a business, building their business acumen, and developing the essential skills that will help them become successful and savvy entrepreneurs.”

Through the NFL’s continuous efforts to assist players in successful transition into their post-playing careers, the most recent group of retired players and their significant others have been invited to the league office for a two-day introduction to the Legends Community and the resources available to them.

Eighteen of the most recent NFL Legends will be hosted at the league office July 13-14 to strengthen their connections with each other, their teams and the NFL.

Launched in July 2013, the Legends Community provides unique opportunities and resources for Legends to engage year-round and aims to celebrate, embrace and unite former players and their families. To date, more than 5,700 former players have registered for the Legends Community.

“The Legends Community provides former players ongoing resources, guidance and support in transitioning from their playing experience to their new normal,” said Executive Vice President of Football Operations TROY VINCENT. “This is an extensive orientation about the resources available to all players in continuing their on-field success in their post-playing days.”

During the event, Legends will hear from NFL league and team executives, as well as former players currently serving as Legends Community Ambassadors. Additionally, they will participate in networking opportunities and learn about the initiatives and programs specifically designed for them.

Topics include career development and educational opportunities, discussions regarding benefits and transition assistance, information on how to stay engaged with teams, and tips for building their brand.

The following is a list of players who are attending this year’s event: